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Larry T. Hawkes
December 17, 1935- June 6, 2009

Larry T. Hawkes, or "Lawrence", as I called him, was my stepdad and the Best Man at my wedding. He passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2009, after a long, arduous battle with cancer.  

Larry was born on December 17, 1935 in Seattle, Washington, the son of Kenneth and Winifred Hawkes.  He and his Father cleared land in Bridlewood, remodeled the home and built a barn and fences where they raised horses and enjoyed riding.  He attended Bellevue High School and played on the football team.    Larry served in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties and explored the German and Austrian countryside.    His career in real estate focused on land development in the Puget Sound area.   He enjoyed the people he worked with and shared a love for horse racing with many of his real estate and construction friends.  

Larry taught me to handicap the ponies. I placed my very first bet with Larry at Longacres, launching a notoriously futile gambling career.

Larry was an outdoorsman and enjoyed boating, horses, fishing and cooking pancakes over a beach fire.   He was an avid sailor and chartered sailboats regularly before purchasing his own lovely sailboats, “Nancy” and “Lydia Rose”.   Larry spent extended summers sailing in the San Juan Islands with a home base in Fisherman's Bay on Lopez was his cherished home away from home, and he greatly enjoyed his Island friends and fellow sailors. 

Larry never gave up on me as a sailor, even though I was a hopeless case from the start.  I have countless books in my collection that Larry gave me over the years-- books about navigation and mapping, rigging and piloting--really expensive books that I cannot even begin to understand.  Sailing in the San Juans with Larry was always a great thrill.  I don't think Larry was ever more alive than at the wheel of the Lydia Rose.

His sense of humor, charm and stories will be missed by all who knew him.   Larry’s father, children and grandchildren, his extended family and many friends will continue to live with countless memories he created.  Both his beloved sister, Judith Christenson and his beloved mother, Winifred Hawkes, preceded Larry in death.  Larry passed peacefully into heaven June 6th surrounded by his children.  Private services will be held at the farm in Bridlewood.   The family extends grateful thanks and suggests memorials to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.